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Joe Root has further cemented his legacy as one of cricket’s finest by overtaking former captain Alastair Cook to become England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer. Root reached this remarkable milestone during the first Test of England’s series against Pakistan, needing just 71 runs to surpass Cook’s record of 12,472 runs. In a moment of sheer class, Root accomplished this feat on Day 3 with a beautifully timed straight drive.
Joe Root’s rise to the pinnacle of England cricket
Root came into the Pakistan series in blistering form, having amassed 666 runs in England’s 2024 summer. During that period, he broke another of Cook’s records by becoming England’s leading Test centurion, thanks to twin hundreds against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. Root’s climb to the top was inevitable, and when Ollie Pope was dismissed early in England’s first innings in Multan, the stage was set. Walking in at No.3, Root demonstrated impeccable concentration, batting alongside Zak Crawley to reach his half-century before the lunch break on day three.
The crowning moment came shortly after, when Root stroked his 71st run – a stylish shot back past Pakistan’s Aamer Jamal – officially surpassing Cook’s total and etching his name into English cricket history. Root’s record-breaking run is a testament to his extraordinary longevity, skill, and determination over the years.
Here’s how fans reacted:
In the midst of feeling pretty underwhelmed and a little bit over English cricket, Joe Root continues to be that beacon of light who gives me a sense of joy. Being able to see the greatest English cricketer in his prime on a yearly basis for the past decade is a privilege
— Michael English (@mikeenglishcfc) October 9, 2024
HISTORY IS MADE! 🙌
We are witnessing sheer greatness.
🐐 Congratulations, Rooty! 👏#EnglandCricket | @root66 pic.twitter.com/rSAXb3LKEo
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 9, 2024
1️⃣ Joe Root
⬇️ Sir Alastair Cook@root66 officially has more runs in Test cricket than any other England player 🐐The greatest. Without a doubt. pic.twitter.com/WUJH8zD2TX
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) October 9, 2024
Joe Root is now England's highest run-scorer in Test cricket, overtaking Sir Alastair Cook who scored 12,472 runs.
Goat in Test cricket 🏏 🐐 #JoeRoot #PAKvsENG pic.twitter.com/ScETyxtAvb
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) October 9, 2024
A terrific way for Joe Root to beat Alastair Cook's record for most England Test runs: a perfectly timed on drive for four.
12 years into his international career, Root is batting better than ever
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) October 9, 2024
I was at the Oval on 10 September 2018 when Alastair Cook clipped Jadeja for a single to bring up his 12,472nd & final run. Even then it was clear that Joe Root, not out on 124* at the other end, would one day surpass that. The best England cricketer of my lifetime. 👏
— Adam Sutherland (@AdamSants_) October 9, 2024
Sir Alastair Cook was knighted for "services to cricket" after retiring as England's top Test run scorer.
He should now be stripped of that knighthood, so that it can be transferred to Joe Root. It's the right thing to do.
— Being Outside Cricket (@OutsideCricket) October 9, 2024
Root surpasses Sir Alastair Cook. Highest run-scorer for England in Test cricket now. Passed Cook's tally of hundreds a month back only. #PAKvENG
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) October 9, 2024
Joe Root should be trending. He’s just become England’s highest Test run-scorer of all time. A world class player who does it with a smile on his face. A true legend of the game and a national hero.
— Matthew Stadlen (@MatthewStadlen) October 9, 2024
come outside @sachin_rt
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) October 9, 2024
Joe Root has scored more runs in Test Cricket than days he's been alive.
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) October 9, 2024
Understated celebration from Joe Root as he becomes England's all-time leading Test run-scorer in Multan: a reluctant wave – first of his hand, then his bat – to acknowledge the standing ovation on the dressing-room balcony
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) October 9, 2024
Also READ: PAK vs ENG: Here’s why England pacer Olly Stone will return home after the first Test
Alastair Cook’s record-breaking legacy
Cook, who retired in 2018, held the England Test run record for nearly a decade. Cook claimed the title in 2015 when he surpassed Graham Gooch’s 8,900 runs, solidifying his position as the top English batter of all time. His career was decorated with numerous achievements, including becoming the first England player to pass the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket. Cook’s final tally of 12,472 runs in 161 matches was thought to be a long-standing record – until Root’s incredible run-scoring spree.
Moving up the global test run charts
Root’s achievement isn’t just a milestone for English cricket. His 12,473 runs place him fifth on the global all-time Test run-scorer list. Only four legends – Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), Ricky Ponting (13,378), Jacques Kallis (13,289) and Rahul Dravid (13,288) – have scored more runs than Root. Given his current form and hunger for runs, Root could soon surpass Dravid, Kallis and Ponting, leaving Tendulkar’s world record as his final target. If Root continues his prolific form, he may very well challenge the Indian icon’s staggering 15,921-run record.
Dominating the World Test Championship
Root’s dominance extends beyond individual milestones, as he also leads the charts in the World Test Championship (WTC). He became the first player to score 5,000 runs in WTC matches, showcasing his consistency in this elite competition. Root holds records for the most matches played, the most centuries scored, and now the most runs in WTC history – an unparalleled feat that solidifies his position as one of the greatest Test cricketers of his generation.
Chasing new records
Beyond becoming England’s top run-scorer, Root is on the verge of reaching another prestigious milestone: joining the elite club of batters with 35 or more Test centuries. Root’s next century would elevate him above greats like Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene and Younis Khan, further enhancing his cricketing credentials.
Tendulkar, who holds the record with 51 centuries, remains the ultimate goal. But with Jacques Kallis (45), Ricky Ponting (41) and Rahul Dravid (36) all within striking distance, Root is well-positioned to chase down some of the game’s greatest records in the coming years.
At 33, Root shows no signs of slowing down. Since the start of 2023, he has averaged a staggering 61 in Test cricket, a sign of his enduring excellence. His elegant batting, combined with an insatiable appetite for runs, suggests that Root is far from done rewriting the record books. His journey, from his Test debut in 2012 to now being at the top of England’s run-scoring charts, is nothing short of extraordinary.
